How do you know what brakes/suspension etc to upgarde to?

[Homer]

Hi all, am sure people are getting sick of all my questions by now but i am new to all this!  I was wondering if I do get a stage 1 how will i know what brakes/suspension etc to upgrade to? Do the mod garages offer this advice and service and what would the cost be of this? Thanks for any help

[big al]

To go stage 1 you don't need any mods on your car.
The brakes are more of a preferance than an essential part. Most here go for the R32/ Seat cupra or Audi brakes as they are much bigger and give better stopping power.
Though you can spend bigger money and get  4pots/6 pots, Porsche or Brembos, there are hundreds really, just depends on price/cost.
With suspension most people do it firstly for cosmetics, and secondly for handling.
You can get springs (H&R/Eibach) for about £100, they will give you about 20/30mm of drop, or you can spend a bit more and get shocks, which give a static drop and slightly better handling. Or if that isn't what you want then there are coilovers, which you can use to adjust the height, and ride. Or lastly there are coilovers with dampeners in which means that you can adjust the harshness of the ride, on track can have it very firm, or on the roads as soft as you like.

Hope this helps.
(and don't worry about the questions, most here are more than happy to help and advise.)

[the bruce]

The choose of suspension and brakes depends mainly on your personal preferences.
It's not a question of engine power although for better traction a good coilover and
a WL anti lift kit is highly recommended.
If your clutch is worn out (will come sooner or later) and slips go for a stronger one.

Just my tips, not necessary at all:

- Bilstein B14
- WALK
- Ferodo DS Performance
- Sachs Performance (organic)
- sticky tires

But first take care that the stock suspension is well in condition !!
(ball joints, rubber bushings, upper strut bearing)

[Homer]

sorry mate I dont reallu understand what the following means-

-Bilstein B14
- WALK
- Ferodo DS Performance
- Sachs Performance (organic)

Could you elaborate a bit? I dont know what upgrade each term refers to, thanks for your help.

[Janner_Sy]

blistein B14 is a suspension kit
the WALK (Whiteline Anti Lift Kit) is a modification to reduce understeer on the car
ferrodo DS performance are the OEM equivalent brake pads.
sachs performance is a clutch.

my opinion is you dont need the clutch at stage 1 unless you drive like an idiot, or it has been driven unsympathetically previously.

brake pads are a very important modification.  std pads arent up to the job.  Good options are ferrodo DS2500 or mintex M1144s amongst others.

uprating the rear anti roll bar (£150-£200) will be the cheapest and most influential mod when you compare prices, labour and the final results.

have a look through all the pages of the product eview sub section.  There are about 6 pages of good reviews which would answer all you r questions http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/board,11.0.html

[the bruce]

Just my tips, not necessary at all:

- Bilstein B14
- WALK
- Ferodo DS Performance
- Sachs Performance (organic)
- sticky tires

These modification should help you if you feel a need for improvement and
you want to spend some more money. A rear anti roll bar is worthwile as well.

[Homer]

Thanks! Do you guys buy your own parts then go to a specialist garage to fit them? Or do you get the garage to order and fit them? Rough idea on cost of the brake pads mentioned? Thanks a lot

[the bruce]

Depends on the competence of your local 'specialist'.

Suspension specialists are sometimes hard to find.